Many Americans will soon be filing those dreaded tax returns but this year there could be some changes that'll affect your wallet.

Experts say if you're expecting a tax refund this year, you'll be getting it much later than what you're used to.

"Delay, delay, delay" says Charlton Haupt, owner of Liberty Tax Service in Clifton.

That's the message that tax professionals are telling their clients this tax season. Due to the government's fiscal fiasco earlier this year, the entire tax process has been pushed back.

"They've postponed the time that their going to be processing the tax returns to January 30th. And then they're saying it's going to take up to 21 business days for the taxpayers to see their refunds" says Haupt.

Haupt says they've received calls from taxpayers concerned with the delay in refunds but some we spoke with today didn't seem so worried.

"I'm not too concerned about the delay myself" said Tyler Morey of Grand Junction.

Others however say they bank on that refund.

"We’re going to be moving to Denver and we're relying on that to move, so we're kind of worried about money as far as that goes, so we're hoping that it does not cause a delay" said Rachel Green of Grand Junction.

Tax experts say there is one way to help speed up the process. Start your tax return now.

"We just encourage tax payers to start meeting with their tax professionals now and to start asking those questions in case they need to research or get documents ready so that they can get their returns filed. And when the IRS starts accepting returns January 30th, they're ready to go" explained Dolores Mullican, Office Manager of H&R Block in Grand Junction.

With the delays of the IRS accepting returns and the delays in processing, taxpayers this year can expect an extra 3 weeks or more before they see the check in the mail.